The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-06
AFTER THE HONEYMOON.

When Lily and Ralph first fell in love
they were very Young, and nothing more
is TO be said They looked upon each
other as superior beings, and married
still holding that opinion. However,
the honeymoon being over and house
keeping begun, breakfasts that turned
out as they pleased, and dinners that
had 10 be apologised for, rather changed
Ralph's mood. His mother had been a
perfect paragon in domestic affairs, and
the meals and laundry-work had always
been faultless under her roof. To be
sure, she had been an experienced
widow when she married his father, and
he was the only child of people who had
money enough and no struggles before
them. Lily had never made a cup of
tea until he bestowed upon her the
honor of his name and very limited
income.
She had done the best with it if he
had but known it; and it was very cruel
of him 10 burst out one morning with
these words:
'.Ah, what would my mother say if
she could see me eating steak scorched
outside and raw within?n
at is too bad" said Lily. Its q
shame Biddy doesn't know anything"
Then you should teach her." said
Ralph. '.My mother arose at five and
superintendent the servants"
III get up earlier, Ralph" said Poor
Lily. And she did. But the next days
breakfast was even more of failure.
The two girls-lady and servant-were
utterly ignorant of the art of cooking.
and Bridget. under Lily's advice, sur
passed herself in her own line-that of
making culinary failures.
Ralph was cruel this morning, Lily
thought. He had so lately been lover
should conduct himself like man at
hotel who was i'll served. Her blood
boiled; she grew flushed and furious;
she kept restraint upon herself, how
ever, and did not say:
III you could let me pay the wages
for good cook. we might live better.
A little green girl at ten pounds year
will hardly prove satisfactory"
She bit her tongue, but she would not
utter these words Women keep the
romance of their counting days longer
than men. How could she quarrel with
her lover, the man who had thought it q
JOY to hold her hand year ago?
She did her best not to show her feel
ings; and she bought cookery book
instead of a new scarf she had wished to
have, and studied it carefully.
Alas, experience is so much!
She tried other breakfasts; ham
bought cooked and cut in slices-fruit
coffee. He spoke of being starved.
She made meat pie; it was curious
thing when it was cut; no one ate
mouthfuL She cried. He frowned, and
fell back upon his mother again; that
praiseworthy lady was quoted morning.
noon and night. MY mother never
forgets buttons; my mother never wastes
time; my mothers preserves; my
mothers tea; my mothers housekeep-
ing" fell from his lips at regular inter
walls. MY mothers temper" was quoted
at last.
Lily was good girl, and loved her
husband; but it would ne rer be quite
the same to her as if Ralph had been
kinder; little of the bloom was off the
plum of matrimony, but she would not
let the whole fruit spoil. She did her
best very patiently, and finally he
should really have bestowed praise, and
did not, and was really wrong and
blameworthy; but Lily held her tongue;
she was proud and spirited, and she
had certain rod in pickle for this
young man.
1t was Christmas Day. Ralph had
calculated. he said, on being invited
home. They viii ask us, of course, on
Christmas Day." he said. But his
mother, on this occasion, broke through
her usual custom.
Il shall dine out myself with some
old friends" she told him; land, of
course, your father and O'Donnel are
going out too" and Ralph felt very
sorry. But for his opinion of Lily's
cooking, he should have had great pleas
ure in getting his friends about him in
his own house that day; but he felt 1t
would not do.
He went out for walk that morning,
and, returning. found the table set. All
was bright and pretty; but there were
plates for four.
You haven't asked company. my
dear?" he said.
We'll, yes; just two people," said
Lily.
''Twor' said Ralph. "Well, they will
wish they had staid at home. My dear,
| hope they have not delicate digestions;
our dinners will be dangerous if they
have. Turkey, plum-pudding, and
mince pie, | suppose; | smell them; and
what will you or Bridget do with them?
Heaven knows"
Then he gave a start as his mother
and father entered from the parlor,
laughing at his surprise.
I'm delighted to see you" he said,
kissing his mother and giving his hand
to his father; ''but really-our dinners"
He sighed. Lilly can't cook as you do,
mother"
The dinner was brought in; it did
smell nice. They seated themselves;
all were served. Ralph, however, ac-
companied each dish with apologies,
while all, even himself, ate heartily.
| ''It's not as bad as usual" he thought,
| secretly, but he said nothing, and wound
up by remarking, as he passed glass
of wine to his father:
well, we haven't spoiled this. Since
wine is uncooked-Heaven bless it.
| Otherwise"
Ralph" said his mother, sharply,
''this was an excellent dinner
Thank YOU" he said. Il never knew
| you TO tell fib before; and this Is such
an amiable one"
''You are not amiable, Ralph" said
mamma. Poor Lily has done her best
No doubt; and so has poor little
Biddy," said Ralph but Lily and
know too well what that best is. Ex-
cuse our wretched dinner. and be frank
about it
Indeed and indeed!n cried voice
at the door. I've known you since
you wore petticoats, Master Ralph.
I've no fear of you. / cooked that din
ner. Now spake agin it if you like. "
And amidst shrieks of laughter from all
but Ralph, entered to them Mrs. O'Don-
mel, with arms akimbo. This dinner
cooked" she repeated, with curtsey
of the old-fashioned sort to her mistress;
land for good six months your purity
little wife has been wild me farming to
cook. There's few of any age can do
better now, unless, perhaps, she needs
some lessons in fancy desserts"
but | knew nothing when l came to
learn of you, Mrs. O'Donnel,n said Lily,
''and | almost poisoned my poor boy"
Ralph said nothing. What could he
say? But he arose and kissed his wife;
and if he felt very much ashamed of
himself, it was no more than he deserved